5 Modern Takes on the Classic Suit

As a second-year associate at Patton Boggs, Dalia Abu-Eid is just starting her career. Which means she has a lot of suits ahead of her, in both the legal and the fashion sense. “While I’m not required to wear a suit every day, I still tend to wear one a few times a week,” says Abu-Eid, 29, who grew up in Northern Virginia and now lives in DC.

“Patton Boggs tends to be on the less conservative side of the big law firms,” she says, but reflecting personal style in her work attire is still tricky. For inspiration, she turns to her favorite stores and designers. Abu-Eid relies on Zara and Anthropologie for off-duty looks, but she heads for Calvin Klein, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Nordstrom for work ensembles, which she shops for two to three times a year.

“I like to think of myself as urban-chic when it comes to clothes,” Abu-Eid says. “I’m lucky to have two very fashionable sisters.” One is a fashion designer in New York City, the other a vintage-clothing aficionado in San Francisco. “They have definitely influenced my style for the better.”

We helped Abu-Eid try a few of the season’s trendsetting cuts and shapes to spice up her ever-growing suit supply. We’ve also included choices with a casual feel, a day-to-night bent, and a dressy look perfect for cocktails.